Donbas takes three points

In the game between the underdogs of the group, Ukraine champion earns probably the only points of the Continental Cup campaign in Riga

A couple of years ago this game would be
finished with a double digit score, but a lot has happened in the meantime and
today Estonian champion Narva PSK and Donbas Donet’sk open as underdogs the
second round of Continental Cup in brand new Kurbads arena, in the Latgale
suburb of Riga, in the comeback of European tournament in Latvia after the 2009
edition, played in Liepaja. Nothing strange to be considered not favourite for
the Estonian team, very strange for the champion of Ukraine, until some years
ago playing in KHL before the civil war devastating the East part of Ukraine. To
worsen things, the new age limit decided this season by Ukrainian League, and
proposed by same Donbas, turns the Ukrainian championship in a junior league.

The idea that the Continental Cup weekend will
be an outing in Riga for both teams is confirmed by a first period with poor
hockey on ice, confusing moves and slow skating: Donbas opens the score after 2
minutes on power play with Sergei Kuzmik finishing a pass from Aleksandr
Alexandrov. Ukranian team has multiple chances to double the score but the
inaccuracy of forwards and the ability of goalie Anatoli Sizov keep the score
open until 12.21 when, in the only real offensive move, Narva ties game for the
joy of noisy Estonian fans: Dyachenko rebounds on Anohhin and Ilja Iljin is the
most reactive to tap the puck in the net.

The central period sees Donbas goalie Dyachenko
more busy, poked especially with long-range shot: Kuznetsov, Kirill Iljin and
Alexander Bogdanov have chances to score: less active but more effective Donbas
double the score after a messy move in front of the cage, finished by Ivan
Savchenko at 35:51.

The most beautiful goals coming in the last
period: a missile from the blue by Dmitri Ignatenko gives Donbas the double
advantage at 44:37, reduced by a beautiful shot from the angle by Kirill Iljin
one minute later. After the goal, however, Narva isn’t able to siege the
Ukranian cage, despite a couple of power-play and after two great chances
wasted by Luhovy and Kuzmik, suffers the fourth goal, scored by Ivan Savchenko,
deflecting a wondering puck in front of the cage, validated after a video
review.

Donbas earns the first point in the
competitions, by beating possibly the weakest team, while Narva, likewise, lost
probably the only chance to leave the tournament not as bottom team.